Nature & Environment   

This leisurely walk will explore the flora along the Lower Trail (rails-to-trails), paralleling the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River near Alexandria in Huntingdon County. Highlights include Dutchman's breeches and large populations of nodding trillium, along with more than twenty additional species in bloom.

Special note: This trail is flat with a rolled, crushed limestone surface. Participants will meet at the Lower Trail Alfarata Station in Alexandria (Google map). Wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Pack a snack and bring a water bottle.

Trail of the Ancients is a collection of National Scenic Byways located in the Four Corners states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona—1,270 miles in total. The byways highlight the archeological and cultural history of the Southwestern Native American peoples, going back over 10,000 years, and traverse a widely diverse geological landscape. This is the first such byway designated primarily for archeological sites. This course is number two of four and covers the Utah portion. We'll examine the history of the Navajo, Ute, and Ancestral Puebloan on some pretty rough roads.

This leisurely walk will explore the flora at Canoe Creek State Park, located outside of Hollidaysburg in Blair County (31 miles southwest of State College). Highlights are likely to include large populations of phlox, yellow lady's-slipper, trout lilies, redbuds, and more than twenty other species in bloom.

Special notes: The trail is a relatively flat and easy walk. Meet at the parking lot at the Terry Wentz Education Center, 160 Marsh Road, Hollidaysburg (Google map). Please wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Bring a water bottle and a snack.

Alan will lead participants on a walk through the Holmes-Foster neighborhood to look at some of the nearly 7,000 street trees and discuss management of our urban forest resource.

Special notes: Parking is available at the lower entrance (Westerly Parkway) of Holmes Foster Park (across from Our Lady of Victory).

Join Environmental Education Specialist Jen Moore for a history/nature hike along the Chestnut Springs Tail. Traveling uphill, participants will visit a springhouse and the site of an old school before crossing Broad Mountain Road. This trail then follows a small stream downhill. Various nature topics will be covered, including trees and invasive species. The trail is approximately one mile in length.

This course will challenge widely held beliefs about agriculture, the climate, and the agency of the everyday person in creating positive change. Each learner will be responsible for engaging with the material in a way that pushes them to gain agency and to see the complexities of what most people see as either/or choices when it comes to food, where it comes from, how each person's buying habits impact the direction of agriculture, and the role of our everyday decisions on our ecosystems and a changing climate.

Honey bees are unique among insects; they are highly social, critical pollinators of many food crops and produce two highly prized products, honey and wax. Explore their fascinating social structure through the use of an observation hive. In addition, we will discuss why honey bees are such prized pollinators and key to our food supply and what makes honey and beeswax such important and useful products. The first session will be a lecture and the second session will be a visit to an apiary (at the instructor's home) with live honey bee colonies.

What are fungi? What roles do they play in nature and what effects do they have on our lives? What are mushrooms, and how does one go about identifying them? This one-session course will advance attendees' understanding of the importance of fungi in our world. If you have a chance to see the film Fantastic Fungi on DVD or streaming (free on Tubi), do so before or after the class.

This leisurely walk will explore the flora at Martin Gap (Rocky Ridge Natural Area), located twenty miles south of State College, off of Route 26. The trail has significant elevation changes (comparable to Musser Gap Trail). Expect rocky areas. Highlights are likely to include two to five orchid species (yellow and red lady's-slippers, putty orchid, and/or queen of the lady's-slippers) and a rare (for Pennsylvania) yellow and pink corydalis, along with more than twenty additional species. Special notes: Please wear sturdy footwear and dress in layers for the spring weather. Bring a water bottle and a snack. Directions will be shared in a separate email.